CMS Sweeps Cross Campus Rival Pomona-Pitzer

Feb 23, 2010

CMS (7-2, 4-0 SCIAC) swept cross campus rival Pomona-Pitzer
Saturday in chilly, overcast weather. Game 1 featured unique
twists that only the Claremont College five college consortium can
offer. In an environment where athletic opponents are share
classes Monday-Friday, the diamond on Saturday offered an even
closer rivalry.

Pitching for the Sagehens was senior Melanie Gularte. In
the circle for the Athenas was her sister, sophomore hurler Rebecca
Gularte (Sunnyvale). In a tense game that deadlocked at 1-1
after the first inning, sophomore Emily Lopez (Fresno) finally
broke things open with an authoritative blast to left center
plating freshmen Harmony Palmer (Oceanside [pictured left]) and
Kendall Kritzik (Scottsdale, AZ) who was in to pinch run for
newcomer Amanda Banducci (San Mateo).

Lopez' two run shot put CMS up 3-2 and they held P-P scoreless
for the remaining three innings.

CMS' Gularte scratched out the win scattering 6 hits, while
giving up 3 walks and recording 2 strike outs in 32 batters
faced. The Athenas stranded 11 runners as they struggled to
come up with the clutch hit on more than one occasion. Lopez'
timely gap shot was the difference in the ballgame and the central
California native's emotions were apparent as she cruised into
second for the stand up double.

Teammates Michelle Harvey (San Diego), Harmony Palmer and
Gizelle Pera (Los Angeles) continued to produce offensively going 3
for 6 collectively with 2 runs scored. A defensive miscue in
the fourth was the only hiccup for the squad on a day that
showcased several stellar plays with the leather and some
tremendous throws from all over the yard.

In game 2, CMS broke out for 10 hits in an offensively explosive
game while still stranding 8. Harmony Palmer went a
staggering 4 for 4 (5 for 5 on the day, with 3 walks), with 5 RBIs
driving in teammate Michelle Harvey three times (2 for 4 with 3
runs on the day). Pera continued her production as well going
1 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Junior Chelsea Baker (Tucson, AZ)
played well generating one hit, one run and one RBI in two
at-bats. The young team appeared to loosen up as the tension
filled cross-campus rivalry played out and the sun broke through
providing some welcome warmth to the afternoon.

In the circle, junior Melissa Munoz (Union City) started the
first game of her collegiate career. Showing great promise,
the newcomer to the circle faced 13 batters giving up only 1
hit. However, she gave up three runs on the outing.
After 2 1/3, sophomore Emma Friedenberg (Danville [pictured right])
entered the game and completely shut down the Sagehens
offense. Over the course of the following 4 and 2/3 innings,
Friedenberg scattered only 4 hits, gave up 0 runs while striking
out 2 and walking 0. Once again, CMS put together a very
clean game defensively not committing any errors in the game and
making several clutch defensive plays.

CMS takes a 4-0 record into Saturday's contests against the also
undefeated University of Redlands Bulldogs. Both teams sit
atop the SCIAC standings tied for first in what promises to be
great softball action. Game one will begin at 12 noon at
Athena field.